Q. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Communal Award’ announced by Ramsay MacDonald:
1.Its primary objective was to extend the principle of separate electorates to the depressed classes (scheduled castes) to prevent Hindu political unity.
2.It was a direct outcome of the failure of Indian leaders to agree on a communal settlement during the First Round Table Conference.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Gandhi saw this as a “divide and rule” tactic to separate the depressed classes from the Hindu fold perpetually.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. It was a direct outcome of the failure of Indian leaders to agree on a communal settlement during the Second Round Table Conference. Since the parties couldn’t agree, the British Prime Minister intervened with his own scheme of representation.
